Bill Currin, trainer, breeder, and co-owner of the colt, said Dr. Rick Duran of Mid Atlantic told him Stormello was past the worst of the colic the next morning, but would likely remain at the clinic for about a week before being returned to Monmouth Park.
After visiting Stormello at the clinic, Currin said Aug. 4 it appeared surgery would not be necessary. "But they want him to get through one more day first before letting him return to Monmouth," he said. "He’s past the worst of it, his eye is bright, and he’s alert. I’m hoping he can leave the hospital early next week -- Monday or Tuesday -- and be vanned back to Monmouth.
"Missing the Haskell is a huge disappointment. We were expecting him to run a great race. This was to have been a part of his farewell tour this year. We were going in the Haskell, the King’s Bishop (gr. I) at Saratoga, and then back to Monmouth for the Breeders’ Cup. And then he was going off to stud. Now I’m hoping he can recover in time to make the King’s Bishop. He’ll stay at Monmouth for now, and if he’s completely recovered, he’ll ship to Saratoga five days before the race.”
Stormello, who has made nine cross-country trips this year, finished second, beaten by nose in the Fountain of Youth (gr. II). He was fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I) and third in the Woody Stephens at Belmont Park.
Last year, Stormello captured the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) and Norfolk Stakes (gr. II) and was third in the grade II Del Mar Futurity and Best Pal.
With the speedy Stormello out of the Aug. 5 race, it makes local horse Cable Boy and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up Hard Spun more dangerous over the speed-favoring Monmouth track. Cable Boy has won his last two starts wire-to-wire, including a track-record performance two races back, while Hard Spun set the pace in the Derby before getting caught by Street Sense.
Xchanger also has shown good speed in his races, so, even without Stormello, there should be a rapid pace. Any Given Saturday and Curlin both have good tactical speed and will have to keep the leaders in their sights throughout the nine-furlong race.
